“I’m going to need a fucking tetanus shot after this,” I grumbled.
I lined myself up with the desk and braced my legs against the steel. I pushed myself backward and winced as I hit the ground. I tightened my core and shifted, using momentum to turn to my side.
I’d hoped the fall would break the chair, but the sturdy wood held tight. I scooted back and pressed the zip ties against the sharp edge of the desk leg. I started to saw, sweat sliding down my spine as I made tiny, desperate movements to free myself. The ties bit into my flesh, and the movements turned my skin raw. But I didn’t stop. Finally, the plastic ties snapped against my skin, loosening their grip.
A door creaked open and closed, and footsteps echoed in the hangar. Not free yet, but so fucking close. While my wrists were free,the zip ties still rested on them, and the rope still held me in place against the chair.
Panic shot through me as Luca approached. He sighed as if he were disappointed.
“You need to stop acting so desperate.”
“You need to stop acting like a psycho,” I spat.
Luca squinted as he loomed over me. “The new pilot will be here in an hour,” he said as he moved me and the chair upright.
I bit my lip and held my hands together, hoping the zip ties stayed in place. The small advantage gave me a sliver of hope.
Chapter Twenty
Ifelt naked, riding my bike without my cut. But I’d give up everything for Merci. After riding to my favorite spot to sit in silence, all I wanted was to see my girl. The road blurred past on my way to the hospital.
I strode through the automatic doors and shot her a text, settling into one of the uncomfortable waiting-room chairs.
“Hurt yourself again?” a voice lilted from behind me.
I stood and hugged the woman wearing scrubs. “Nurse Lily, it’s good to see you. And no, I’m fine. Just waiting on Merci.”
Lily furrowed her brows. “She didn’t show up today.”
I crossed my arms. “The fuck you mean, she didn’t show up? It’s six. Her shift started two hours ago.”
Lily shrugged. “Dr. Patel tried to call her, but she didn’t answer. She never clocked in.”
I stormed to the door and looked into the parking lot. “That’s her truck,” I said, pointing. “She’s here.” I dialed her number, and it jumped straight to voicemail.
I charged through the automatic doors and jogged across the lot. The shattered screen of her phone shimmered against the asphalt.
I swore as I tugged my phone from the pocket of my jeans and called Merrick. It rang three times before it went straight to voicemail. “Motherfucker, answer your goddamn phone,” I muttered. I called him again, and it rang once before the robotic voice directed me to leave a message. My fingers shook as I shot off a text.
Me: Merci’s missing. Answer your fucking phone.
I called again, and this time he picked up.
“The fuck you mean she’s missing?” he bellowed.
“They’re saying she never showed up to work,” I said, a panicked edge lacing my tone. “Her truck’s here, but her phone was on the ground. Smashed.”
“See if security caught anything on camera. I’ll have Linc check, too.” Merrick ended the call without uttering a goodbye.
I ran back into the waiting room and shoved a patient aside who was speaking to the receptionist. “I need to talk to your security team. Now.”
The receptionist glared at me. “Sir, you need to wait your turn. Please sit down until I call you.”
“You don’t fucking understand,” I said, my voice an octave higher. “Dr. Morris is missing. Get me your fucking head of security. Now.”
The receptionist glanced at the person standing behind me, and I turned. The warm doctor I knew to be Merci’s boss stood with her arms crossed. “Can I help you?”
“Merci’s missing. Her truck’s here, and I found this.” I held up the smashed phone. “You have cameras on the parking lot, yeah?”
